IFF study sheds light on connection between probiotics and children’s immunity

24 Feb 2021 --- Probiotic strains by IFF (formerly DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences) may help modulate the immune system in children through its anti-inflammatory effects.

This is according to an ex vivo study done in collaboration between IFF and the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US.

“In this study, children who took a daily probiotic supplement showed an increase in immune functions that are believed to be involved with fighting cold viruses,” says Dr. Gregory DeMuri, lead author of the study and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US.

The open-label clinical trial tested HOWARU Protect Kids, a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Bi-07 in 19 children aged 13 to 36 months.

Inflammation and the immune response
The findings are set to be published in the Beneficial Microbes Journal. They could help explain the reduced incidence of respiratory infection symptoms observed in a prior clinical trial in children with the same probiotics.

The 30-day probiotics supplementation resulted in a pronounced anti-inflammatory response, compared to pre-supplementation levels of cytokines.

The anti-inflammatory effect may be one mechanism by which probiotics modulate the immune system, write the researchers. However, further study is needed.

A prior clinical trial in children with HOWARU Protect Kids found a reduced incidence of respiratory infection symptoms observed.Exploring children’s health
For Dr. Liisa Lehtoranta, R&D manager at IFF, the positive outcome is a further confirmation of probiotic supplementation’s positive effects upon the healthy immune response in children.

“This research propels us to further examine how we can continue to use probiotic bacteria to stimulate the innate immune response in children and adults alike,” she says.

“We have seen parents be very enthusiastic about giving a probiotic supplement to their children,” DeMuri adds.

Measuring immune cell response
The study was a pilot open-label clinical trial where healthy children consumed HOWARU Protect Kids for 30 days.

Investigators collected blood samples from the children at the beginning and at the end of the study.

The investigators were able to isolate immune cells called peripheral blood monocytic cells (PBMCs) from these samples.

These immune cells were stimulated with a molecule that mimics a respiratory virus, and then the cells’ immune response (specifically cytokines and chemokines) to this stimulus was measured.

The magnitude of the immune response was compared between baseline prior probiotic intervention and after the 30 days of intervention.

Positive outcomes
The study’s authors conclude that supplementation with L. acidophilus NCFM and B. lactis Bi-07 resulted in immunomodulatory effects toward a more anti-inflammatory response upon stimulation of PBMCs with R848 ex vivo.

The researchers also note that the probiotics product was safe and well-tolerated.

Several players in the space are exploring both immunity-supporting ingredients and probiotics for the children’s market, noting that the category requires further research into children’s specific needs.

Cargill is also making moves in probiotics, recently investing US$55 in Evolve BioSystems, a company that is addressing microbiome deficiency in infants through “next-generation” probiotics.

Edited by Missy Green

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